The United States Anti-Doping Agency^® (USADA) is recognized by the UFC as the official, independent anti-doping agency for the UFC. USADA is also recognized by the United States Congress as the official anti-doping organization for all Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American and Para Pan American sport in the United States.

USADA began operations on October 1, 2000 and is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental agency whose sole mission is to preserve the integrity of competition, inspire true sport, and protect the rights of athletes.

USADA was created as the result of recommendations made by the United States Olympic Committee’s (USOC) Select Task Force on Externalization in order to bring credibility and independence to the anti- doping in the U.S. USADA was given full authority to execute a comprehensive national anti-doping program encompassing testing, adjudication, education, and research; and to develop programs, policies, and procedures in each of those areas.USADA is a signatory to the World Anti-Doping Code (Code) which harmonizes anti-doping rules across the globe. The Code was first implemented in 2004 and was most recently revised in 2015.

Since its inception, USADA has ensured continued strategic direction for the first-rate execution of our vision and mission with a primary focus on serving athletes with the best anti-doping program possible. Over the years, more than twelve million dollars have been allocated by USADA for cutting-edge scientific research aimed at understanding and effectively combating the use of performance-enhancing drugs. USADA has collected and managed the results of more than 100,000 anti-doping tests utilizing independent WADA accredited laboratories who provide the most sophisticated analysis available. USADA’s efforts to protect clean athletes have been instrumental in numerous international investigations including the steroid bust, Operation Raw Deal, the l doping conspiracy involving the BALCO laboratory in San Francisco, and the investigation into systemic doping in the sport of cycling, including the US Postal Service Pro-Cycling Team Doping Conspiracy.

As USADA approaches its fifteen year anniversary, the organization continues to aspire to be a leader in the global anti-doping community in order to protect the rights of clean athletes and the integrity of competition around the world. USADA is based in Colorado Springs, Colorado and employs more than 90 full- and part-time employees, both office staff and doping control officers, around the country.